DIFC: purchase & sale of apartments and villas

Discover the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center) district. A central district in Dubai, where you'll find quality apartments in perfect locations, close to Downtown, Dubai Marina or Jumeirah. Want to find out more? The teams at Dubai Immo can tell you absolutely everything you need to know about this dynamic district and the offers currently available to help you invest in real estate with ease and peace of mind.

DIFC: neighborhood presentation

Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) is not necessarily Dubai's best-known central district. Nevertheless, the area is home to a number of large-scale real estate projects. Interesting, affordable developments that offer the opportunity to position yourself in one of the world's most dynamic cities.

The atmosphere of the DIFC district

Investing in real estate in Dubai is an investor's dream. The market is buoyant and dynamic, and everything is evolving rapidly and sustainably. But you still need to be sure of finding the right programs and the right offers. Fortunately, we're here to help! Here you'll find all the best offers on the market.

Where is the DIFC district?

Visit DIFC neighborhood (Dubai International Financial Center) is a central district of Dubai. Here you'll find banks, asset management companies, insurance companies, law firms and major corporations. The district is close to Downtown or Business Bay. Just a few minutes away, you'll also find Jumeirah and its superb beaches.

General description

DIFC is a district known for its superb skyscrapers, notably theEmirates Towerthe Gate Building or the Burj Daman. You'll also find luxury hotels, restaurants and art galleries. It's a rather "modern" district.strict"This is a very business-oriented area, where you'll find a wide range of professionals. Outside office hours, the DIFC neighborhood is a lively place. Restaurants, bars, cultural and artistic events... you won't have time to get bored.

Population and diversity

Visit DIFC neighborhood is mainly frequented by CSP+ and other young professionals. Professionals appreciate the neighborhood's proximity to offices and the main downtown landmarks (Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, for example). Families, on the other hand, prefer more out-of-the-way neighborhoods, with more spacious accommodation around fifteen minutes from the center, or even twenty minutes.

The real estate market in DIFC

In concrete terms, how much does it cost to buy an apartment in the DIFC district? What is the average total cost of a studio or one-bedroom apartment?

What are the apartment prices in the DIFC district?

In DIFC, here is the average price of an apartment:

• Studio: from AED 1,200,000 (approx. €300,000)
• 1 bedroom: from AED 2,000,000 (approx. €515,000)
• 2 bedrooms: from AED 3,500,000 (approx. €900,000)
• 3-bedroom: from AED 5,000,000 (approx. €1,300,000)
• 4 bedrooms: from AED 7,000,000 (approx. €1,800,000)

Average price per square metre

On average, average price per square metre in DIFC is around AED 2 to 3,500, or 545 to 950 euros. Naturally, the most expensive apartments have a much higher price per square meter, hovering around 1,500 or even 2,000 euros.

Factors influencing price

In the DIFC neighborhoodThere are many factors that influence the final price of a property. First, the size of the property. Yes, a 3 or 4-bedroom apartment is bound to cost more than a studio. The second point to consider is the property's location. An apartment in DIFC will naturally be more expensive than one bought in the outlying districts of Paris. Dubaiaway from it all. Finally, there's the question of the residence. An apartment with a swimming pool, gym, cinema and all those services.

DIFC rental costs

Once the purchase is complete, what happens next? To make the most of your investment, renting can be a very good option.

Average rent for an apartment

As explained above, there are several factors to take into account when determining the value of a property, whether you're buying... or renting. The average annual rent for a studio apartment is between AED 70 and AED 120,000. For a one-bedroom apartment, it's AED 100-180,000, for a two-bedroom apartment, AED 150-250,000, and for a three-bedroom apartment, AED 220-350,000. As a reminder, in Dubai, rents are paid in one lump sum, on a yearly basis.

Daily life at DIFC

At DIFC, you'll find a great selection of places to eat out or simply enjoy an evening drink. Here's our selection of the best places to go!

Lunch/Dinner/Drinks at DIFC

The best restaurants

In DIFC, you'll find several top-quality restaurants. Here's our selection:

• KIZA Restaurant & Lounge: Located on the first floor of the Emirates Financial Towers, KIZA Restaurant & Lounge offers a contemporary experience of African cuisine. Here you'll find authentic dishes from the African continent, elegantly presented. The multi-sensory ambience reflects the richness and vitality of African culture.
• LPM Restaurant & Bar: Nestled in the DIFC, LPM Restaurant & Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere with a touch of the Côte d'Azur. Their cuisine blends the flavors of southern France and Italy.
• Tribes Carnivore: Tribes Carnivore offers an ethical experience using ingredients sourced from over 25 countries. Their collection of handmade, sustainable items includes homewares, furniture, designer rugs and lighting.
• Em Sherif Restaurant Dubai: Nestled in the heart of Ashrafieh, Monot, Em Sherif Restaurant Dubai offers authentic and unique oriental cuisine. The restaurant is designed as a sumptuous antique oriental mansion, offering a first-class dining experience.
• Orange Chameleon Restaurant: Offering breathtaking sunset views at West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Orange Chameleon Restaurant is an ideal place to enjoy delicious seafood and fish.

Cafés and places to relax

And when it comes to cafés and places to relax, there's plenty to choose from.

• Cafe Belge: Located on the first floor of the Emirates Financial Towers, Cafe Belge combines timeless elegance with vibrant charm. Here you'll find an extensive selection of beers and the best moules frites in town.
• Dunes Cafe: The Dunes Cafe offers an all-day international dining experience. Whether you opt for the sumptuous buffet or the à la carte menu, you'll find a wide selection of tasty dishes prepared by world-renowned chefs.
• Love Vibe Cafe: Love Vibe Cafe offers an elevated dining experience from the team behind the healthy VIBE Cafe in Al Wasl, Dubai. The ambience is comfortable and Instagrammable, and the menu offers delicious breakfast options as well as choices for vegan diets.

Bars and nightlife

For a drink in the evening, you'll find a number of very pleasant options, both at DIFC and in the adjacent neighborhoods. Here's our selection of good addresses:

• Long's Bar: Located at the Towers Rotana Hotel, Long's Bar offers an award-winning experience with international cuisine. Their outdoor terrace is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the friendly atmosphere.
• Flair5 Lounge & Dining: Flair5 is an open-air tropical haven, where Latin American vibes and jungle come to life. Enjoy great ushis and raw seafood while dancing the night away.
• LPM Restaurant & Bar: Nestled in the DIFC, LPM Restaurant & Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere with a touch of the Côte d'Azur. Their cuisine blends the flavors of southern France and Italy.
• Level 43 Sky Lounge: This sophisticated lounge offers handcrafted cocktails prepared by expert mixologists. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city while savoring tasty bites.
• Galaxy Bar: Galaxy Bar, one of Dubai's finest cocktail bars, celebrates its Greek roots in a bespoke interior inspired by classical Greek architecture

Stores and current purchases at DIFC

When it comes to everyday shopping, the DIFC district has plenty to offer. Supermarkets, grocery stores and shopping malls are on hand to simplify your life and your purchases.

Supermarkets and grocery stores

In the DIFC district, you'll find many small grocery stores, open until late in the evening. This will enable you to make small purchases. For larger purchases, a good option is to head for the classic supermarkets such as Carrefour or Spinneys. Here you'll find everyday consumer goods. You won't want for anything, that's for sure!

Boutiques and specialty stores

A final option for shopping and specialty stores is the Dubai Mall. Dubai's largest shopping mall is located close to DIFC, in the Downtown district. You'll find absolutely everything here: clothes stores, electrical goods stores, sports stores etc. On site, you can be sure that we'll find absolutely everything you could possibly need.

Sport and activities at DIFC

Sports centers and gymnasiums

DIFC being a relatively dynamic district, it's not surprising to find gyms here, especially since in Dubai, sport is seen as an essential pillar of a healthy lifestyle. At the Dubai International Financial Center, you'll find the complexee Fitness First, as well as the Real Pilates gym. Other establishments include GymNation, Barry's Bootcaamp and Flywheel Sports. All perfectly designed and optimized with the best possible equipment.

Parks and green spaces

In Dubai, and particularly in the city center, you'll find plenty of parks and green spaces. The authorities have decided to implement a policy of airing out the entire city with large, pretty parks to refresh and green the space. Gate Avenue Park (in the heart of DIFC) springs to mind. You'll also find Burj Park and DIFC Sculpture Park. Finally, you'll also find Zabeel Park, which is not in DIFC, but is nearby.

Must-sees in DIFC

Historical monuments and sites

In DIFC itself, you won't find many "historic" things to discover. Nevertheless, Dubai International Financial Center is close to the city's main tourist attractions, such as Downtown and Business Bay. Here you'll find the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall (Dubai's largest shopping mall). Nearby, ten or fifteen minutes away, you'll also find places like the Burj al Arab, the Jumeirah beaches, The Palm and even the desert for a stroll.

Cultural spaces and museums

When it comes to cultural venues, there are plenty to choose from. First and foremost is the Dubai Opera House in Downtown. Museums include the Dubai Museum, the Heritage Museum, the Currency Museum, the Aviation Museum and many more. This list is by no means exhaustive, as Dubai is attracting more and more cultural establishments.

Health

Hospitals and clinics

In DIFC and other parts of the city (especially near DIFC), you'll find a large number of hospitals and clinics. These are quality establishments, able to provide you with fast and, above all, highly professional care. Nearby are establishments such as Mediclinic and Aster Clinic. The Saudi-German Hospital or the Emirates Hospital Clinic are other perfectly viable options. Finally, you can visit Dubai Healthcare City.

Pharmacies and medical services

In Dubai, especially at DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center), you'll find a number of pharmacies and other medical services (including dentists, chiropodists and traditional doctors). As for places to buy your medicines, Boots Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy, BinSina and Super Care pharmacies come to mind. In short, there's absolutely no shortage of options. Pharmacies in DIFC where you can buy your treatments.

Public transport in DIFC

Bus and metro lines

There are several public transport stations in DIFC. In terms of metro stations, the nearest stop to DIFC is Emirates Tower. This is only ten minutes from DIFC. There are also several bus lines. C01, C07, F13 and F16. These bus routes connect DIFC with \\\\\\\ other areas of Dubai, such as Bur Dubai, Deira and Jumeirah.

Accessibility and frequency

At DIFC, the metro and buses generally run once every 5 to 10 minutes (in rush hour). In off-peak hours, transport runs approximately once every 10 to 15 minutes. It is advisable to check bus and metro timetables and routes before travelling, as they can vary depending on the day and time of day\\\\\\\.

Schools in DIFC

Primary and secondary schools

In DIFC and the surrounding neighborhoods, you'll find numerous primary, secondary and even international schools. These include DIS (Dubai International School) in Al Quoz. There's also the JESS (Jumeirah English Speaking School) in Al Safa. You can also opt for Dubai College or Horizon English School. For a French school, the Lycée International Georges Pompidou is the place to go! What about universities? For higher education, young people can enroll at Zayed University, the University of Dubai, the American University of Dubai or the Canadian University of Dubai... There's no shortage of options. In fact, a number of institutions have decided to open branches in the Emirates!

Other aspects to consider at DIFC

But there's more to living in Dubai than that. It's also about safety and respect for the environment.

Safety and quality of life

Crime rates

In Dubai, and even more so in the highly professional DIFC district, the crime rate is relatively low. There are several reasons for this! Firstly, the police are English-speaking and patrol almost everywhere, all the time. Secondly, the penalties for theft, crime and other offences are extremely high.

Security services

Having a problem? Here are some of the numbers to contact in the event of a problem:

• 999 for the font,
• 998 for the ambulance,
• 997 for firefighters,
• 996 for the Coast Guard.

Environment and sustainability at DIFC

Green initiatives at DIFC

At DIFC, real estate projects are environmentally friendly. Residences are built with eco-responsibility in mind. Everything is focused on energy consumption! What's more, parks and green spaces help to keep the air cool. When temperatures get too high, a trip to the park is a great way to breathe. Whatever the case, Dubai aims to establish itself as one of the world's pioneers in eco-responsibility and responsible real estate.